Judges whose most recent office on record is this one
Outcomes at this office vary, with approval rates ranging from 32% to 75%. Because cases are assigned randomly, the judge you draw matters. This variation means your evidence must be airtight, as each judge weighs medical records and vocational testimony differently. This is a reflection of how differently individual ALJs approach the same criteria.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | V. Paul McGinn | 75% | 2,801 | |
| 2 | Ryan Vanda | 62% | 1,315 | |
| 3 | Laura Bernasconi | 61% | 3,032 | |
| 4 | Tanya J. Garrian | 60% | 1,703 | |
| 5 | Kate Dana | 60% | 1,254 | |
| 6 | Gerald Resnick | 51% | 951 | |
| 7 | Stephen M. Szymczak | 51% | 1,277 | |
| 8 | Paul W. Goodale | 48% | 3,932 | |
| 9 | Barry H. Best | 44% | 1,951 | |
| 10 | Jason Mastrangelo | 44% | 4,156 | |
| 11 | Martha Bower | 32% | 1,800 |
How long you'll wait
At Providence, the average wait from hearing request to written decision is 8 months— versus a national average of 8.2 months. Here's how it's tracked month by month over the past 16 months.
Approval rates change with a lawyer
Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-18-37. The 3× gap is a population-wide average across all judges; individual outcomes vary.
Going to your hearing
Your hearing is a formal proceeding where you sit with an Administrative Law Judge to discuss your limitations. Because this office has a wide spread in judge approval rates, your file must be strong enough to stand on its own regardless of who presides. Ensure you have submitted all updated medical records, a detailed medication list with side effects, and a daily-activity log before the evidence deadline. A vocational expert will likely testify about whether jobs exist that fit your specific physical or mental restrictions. You can question this expert to clarify how your impairments prevent you from working. The hearing typically lasts 45 to 60 minutes, and you will receive a written decision by mail.
When a panel's approval rates span over 40 points, your file must be strong enough that no judge can dismiss it due to weak documentation. An attorney who knows the tendencies of this panel can help you anticipate the vocational expert's questions and ensure your medical record clearly maps to Social Security Administration disability listings. This approach helps you focus on the specific evidence required to support your claim.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at Providence, your case originated at one of the SSA field offices below — the local intake counter where you (or a representative) filed the initial application. SSA's published service areas route these offices' appeals here. Field offices don't decide hearings, but they hold your file, issue benefit-payment notices, and field the day-to-day questions during your wait.
Frequently asked questions
The average wait for a hearing at this office is 8 months, which is slightly faster than the national average of 8.2 months. An attorney can help you use this time to gather updated medical records.
Cases are assigned randomly to the judges whose most recent office on record is this one. Because approval rates vary widely across the panel, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific evidentiary standards likely to be applied. An attorney can help you navigate these differences.
Generally, you cannot choose your judge. If you believe there is a conflict of interest, you must raise it formally with the office, but random assignment is the standard process for all SSDI hearings. An attorney can help you determine if a conflict exists.
While not required, having an attorney is highly recommended. Given the wide variation in judge approval rates at this office, professional representation helps ensure your evidence is presented in the most favorable light. An attorney can help you strengthen your file.
